People smuggler to face hearing

An Afghan man suspected of being one of the most active people smugglers operating out of Indonesia will face court in Jakarta this month, paving the way for his extradition to Australia.

Sayed Abbas, an ethnic Hazara, is accused of sending dozens of asylum-seeker boats to Australia over the past five years, including one that sank in December 2011, killing up to 200 people. Indonesian authorities confirmed yesterday that police had officially handed the case over to prosecutors, and that a hearing date would probably be set within days.

Australian officials last month finalised paperwork needed before the extradition hearing could proceed. Australia has been seeking Abbas since 2009.